The hole where Shoichi Yokoi hid for 28 years on the island of Guam

This is the “cave” of Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier from WWII, who hid on the island of Guam for 28 years after the end of the war, unaware of the Japanese surrender. His cave was really more of a hole. His story was like that of the Japanese soldier on Gilligan’s Island, but it was true and he was discovered years after the episode aired. Today it is a popular tourist attraction for Japanese, and there is a small amusement park on the site. When he returned to Japan, he uttered a phrase which became famous in Japanese culture: “It is with much embarrassment that I have returned alive”.

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6 Responses to "The hole where Shoichi Yokoi hid for 28 years on the island of Guam"

By Mark October 13, 2008 - 1:05 pm

Guam has some area of very dense jungle and it is possible to be lost when you are only 20 feet off the trail. Mr. Yokoi stated that he thought the war was over, but was afraid to turn himself in. Remember that the Japanese military members were expected to kill themselves rather than give up. Additionally, they were told that the Americans would torture to death any captured soldiers. He had three bullets left when he surrendered to a watermelon farmer.

By Mark October 13, 2008 - 1:05 pm

Guam has some area of very dense jungle and it is possible to be lost when you are only 20 feet off the trail. Mr. Yokoi stated that he thought the war was over, but was afraid to turn himself in. Remember that the Japanese military members were expected to kill themselves rather than give up. Additionally, they were told that the Americans would torture to death any captured soldiers. He had three bullets left when he surrendered to a watermelon farmer.